but i think it's going to depend a lot on conversations that chuck -- that chuck hagel has over the next couple of weeks. i'm reserving judgment myself. i'm on the armed services committee and will hear the nomination. i'm going to have some questions. i will probably be meeting with him later this week, and i want to understand where he's coming from. but he's a solid guy with a lot of strong support, and the other thing i want to listen to is from people who have worked with him over the years, other ambassadors, people like colin powell. >> let's turn now to the issue of gun control legislation. as you know, vice president biden is going to be delivering his recommendations to the president tomorrow. do you think anything gets passed out of congress in the end? >> i think something probably will. it's a little hard to tell now. i'm not even sure whether -- it's very interesting that vice president biden last week when he was sort of giving a preview, did not mention an assault weapons ban. now, it may be in the recommendations ultimately. but i -- >> would you support mandatory backgr